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In the picturesque area of Val di Non, the PDO apple is more than just a fruit—it is a symbol of heritage, quality, and sustainability. Consorzio Melinda (Consorzio) safeguards the authenticity and premium quality of the PDO apples and spearheads innovation to ensure its sustainable production and broader health benefits. In this context, the primary goal of this contribution is to illustrate how innovation for sustainability can enhance the overall performance of GI systems, ensuring their long-term viability while promoting economic, social, and environmental well-being. The Golden Delicious PDO apple is a case study to examine how bioactive compounds, extracted through innovative green processes, contribute to health and well-being.
In the project (Progetto MeByC - CUP C77B24000000008), the Consorzio provides raw materials and extracts. At the same time, the University of Ferrara (UNIFE) and Maria Cecilia Hospital-Gruppo Villa Maria (MCH) evaluates the biological properties, and the University of Naples Federico II (UNINA) analyzes their chemical composition.
In more detail, as far as the Consorzio is concerned, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality and authenticity of these apples, ensuring that they meet the stringent criteria of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certification. In this project, Consorzio provides raw apple materials, selects fruits that do not meet the quality standards for fresh market commercialization, and prepares the extracts with a proprietary green technology used in the research.
Then, the apple extracts, prepared by the Consorzio, are delivered to UNIFE and MCH for detailed biological analysis. UNIFE's research team is responsible for evaluating the biological properties of these extracts, particularly how these bioactive compounds influence cellular activity, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. MCH is responsible for conducting tests related to in vitro behavior with modern analytical methodologies like mitochondrial calcium signaling and confocal microscopy. One of the main findings from the in vitro and in vivo tests was that the apple-derived extracts can be efficiently absorbed by human cells, such as fibroblasts and macrophages, without causing toxicity. These extracts have demonstrated a potential role in modulating immune responses by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, which could be crucial in managing inflammation-related diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other conditions linked to immune system dysregulation.
While UNIFE-MCH focuses on the biological implications of the apple extracts, UNINA analyzes their metabolic profile, identifying and quantifying the various nutritional and bioactive molecules present in the apple extracts, such as primary and secondary metabolites. The research team at UNINA has employed untargeted (NMR) and targeted (RP-HPLC-PDA-ESI-MSn) analytical methodologies to determine the bioactive components providing valuable insights into how these compounds contribute to the biological effects observed in the tests at UNIFE.
In conclusion, by focusing on the bioactive properties of the Golden Delicious DOP apple and the collaborative efforts between Consorzio Melinda, UNIFE, MCH, and UNINA, this project offers valuable insight into how scientific innovation can preserve tradition while fostering long-term sustainability and enhancing the performance of GI systems across economic, social, environmental, and governance dimensions.
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